82R4212 JRJ-D
 
  By: Hochberg H.B. No. 3624
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of educational aides for tuition
  exemptions at public institutions of higher education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 54.214(c), (f), and (g), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (c)  To be eligible for an exemption under this section, a
  person must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state;
               (2)  be a school employee serving in any capacity;
               (3)  for the initial term or semester for which the
  person receives an exemption under this section, have worked as an
  educational aide for at least one school year during the five years
  preceding that term or semester;
               (4)  establish financial need as determined by
  coordinating board rule;
               (5)  be enrolled at the institution of higher education
  granting the exemption in courses required for teacher
  certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas
  Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers
  at the public schools in this state [at the institution of higher
  education granting the exemption];
               (6)  maintain an acceptable grade point average as
  determined by coordinating board rule; and
               (7)  comply with any other requirements adopted by the
  coordinating board under this section.
         (f)  The board of trustees of a school district shall
  establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides who
  show a willingness to become certified teachers in one or more
  subject areas determined by the Texas Education Agency to be
  experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at the public schools
  in this state.
         (g)  The governing board of an institution of higher
  education that offers courses required for teacher certification in
  one or more subject areas determined by the Texas Education Agency
  to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at the public
  schools in this state shall establish a plan to make those courses
  more accessible to those who seek teacher certification. The board
  shall consider as part of its plan to make those courses more
  accessible for teacher certification, evening classes, Internet
  classes, or other means approved by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies
  beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 2011 fall semester.
  Tuition and fees charged for a term or semester before the 2011 fall
  semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the
  effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.